COLOMBO: Sri Lankan off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan December 3 surpassed retired Australian leggie Shane Warne's mark to become the world's highest wicket-taker in Test cricket at his home ground of Kandy.
Muralitharan, who had December 2 equalled Warne's record of 708 wickets but could not go ahead of the Australian due to bad weather, set up the new mark when he bowled Paul Collingwood of England on the third day of the first Test. The 35-year-old, who now tallied 710 wickets, made it possible in 116 Tests while Warne had achieved his feat in 145 matches.
Muralitharan, who returned figures of 6-55 at Kandy, also emphasises his 'world's most successful bowler' status by claiming 61 five-wicket hauls in an innings. Warne is a distant second with 37 hauls. The Sri Lankan also has to his credit 20 match hauls of 10 or more wickets which is exactly double of Warne's tally of 10.
"I am glad I took this wicket at my home ground. My parents are here, my wife is here, all the relatives are here and all my school friends. It's a bigger moment than if I had taken it in Australia," Muralitharan, who had also claimed his 700th wicket at the same ground in July.
Warne was also quick to congratulate Muralitharan for reclaiming his world record for most Test wickets and said the mark will stand forever.
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